MS ACTIVISTS ATTEND ADA ANNIVERSARY EVENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Last Thursday, for the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MS activists and staff from the Society’s National Capital Chapter attended a commemorative event at the White House. The event highlighted the triumphant passage of the ADA twenty-two years ago. 

MS Activist Maureen Normann and Chris Broullire, Chapter President, National Capital Chapter

 

At the event, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, delivered remarks and mingled with those in attendance. In the picture below, Jarrett poses for a photo with Society staff and activists.

From Left: Society Staff Leah Corr, Maureen Normann, Valerie Jarrett, Chris Broullire

In Jarrett’s own blog post commemorating the anniversary (click here to read her full blog post), she took time to point out successes since the enactment of the ADA. But while celebrating the law that has changed the lives of many Americans with disabilities, she also took a moment to acknowledge that, “the fight for justice is far from complete.” 

To help move us a step closer, on the anniversary of the ADA, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a new program—the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative—that will help ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in their access to health care. This will include equal physical access to medical buildings.

Those in the disability movement who originally advocated for passage of the ADA and those who have worked tirelessly since to ensure enforcement should be very proud of the progress that has been made. We will keep moving forward!